Railway signaling apparatus.



PATENTED NOV. 8, 1904.

O. W. S. TURNER.

RAILWAY SIGNALING APPARATUS.

APPLICATION FILED DEC. 22, 1903.

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No. 77%.620. PATENTED NOV. 8. 1904.

O. W. S. TURNER. RAILWAY SIGNALING APPARATUS.

APPLICATION FILED DEC. 22, 1903.

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g g ww UNITED STATES Patented November 8, 1904:.

PATENT OEETcE.

RVAILIWAY SIGNALING APPARATUS.

SPECIFICATION iormlng part of Letters Patent No. 774,620,, dated. November 8, 1904.

Application filed December 22, 1903- Serial No. 186,231. (No model.)

To (all 707mm 71/; may concern.-

Be it known that I, GHARLns IV. STURNER, a citizen of the United States, residing at Mountville, in the county of Loudoun and State of Virginia, have invented new and useful Improvements in Railway Signaling Apparatus, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to railway signaling apparatus.

The object of the invention is in a ready, certain, and positive manner to notify an operator located at a block-signaling station that there is a break in the track, such as that caused by the fracture of a rail, its displacement, or the presence of a broken bridge, trestle, or washout; furthermore, to enable the operator at a glance to tell at what part of the block the break has occurred, thereby saving time and labor in locating the same; furthermore, at the time of notifying the operator of the break or the like in the track to notify the engineer on a train approaching the ruptured portion of thetrack of the same either by a visual signal, audible signal, or by both.

Generally stated, the system of this invention embodies a block or track, one of the rails of the block being divided into lengths insulated from each other in any preferred manner.

The invention also embodies signaling or indicating apparatus located at a signalingstation at each end of the block, each station containing an automatically-operating signaling device for each section of the block appropriate thereto. In other words, if a block be eight miles long it may be divided, say, into four sections, and two of these sections will be in electrical communication with the signaling apparatus in the station at one end of the block and the other two sections in electrical communication with the signaling apparatus at the other station, and at each of the stations there will betwo visual-signaling devices, each connected with a separate section, so that in case of fracture or breakage of a rail, and thus of the conductor, the indicator that is displayed will determine the block injured, so that the operator may without loss of time locate such break. There -is furthermore combined with each section a local circuit which is normally closed and is opened only when a break occurs in the wires or conductors combined with the rails. The conductors are arranged adjacent to the rails and may be secured thereto in any suitable manner, so that a break in the rail will positively efiect rupture of the conductor, and thus the opening of that section containing the broken conductor. In the case of trestlework the conductors are wound around the uprights and trusses and braces of the bridge, so that in case of damage the signaling device will be rendered operative. In the case where the rails are disposed within a cut the conductors will be looped around supports in the nature of posts sunk in the sides of the cuts, and in case of a land-slide the conductors will be broken. Where the rails are disposed upon a filling, posts or stanchions are also provided, which are sunk into the sides of the filling, and around these posts or stanchions the conductors are wound. Thus in case of the filling being washed away the dropping or loosening of the posts or stanchions will cause fracture of the conductor.

Furtherand more specific details of construction will be hereinafter fully described and claimed.

In the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification, and in which like characters of reference indicate corresponding parts, there are illustrated three ways in which the invention may be carried into effect, it being understood that in practice various changes and alterations may be made in the construction and different operative parts without departing from the spirit of the invention.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a View in the nature of a diagram, exhibiting the arrangement of the signaling apparatus in connection with two block-signaling stations. Fig. 2 is a detail view of one form of indicator that may be employed to notify an operator that there is a break in one of the block-sections. Fig. 3 'is a diagrammatic View showing a portion of an engine-truck and exhibiting the manner in which the current may be taken from the conductors and transmitted through a visual and audible signaling apparatus, which may be located at any preferred point, preferably in the cab of the locomo- Fig. 41s a view 1n s1de elevation, showtive. ing the manner in which the conductor-wires are disposed in connection with a trestle-work or bridge. Fig. 5 is aview showing the manner in which the eonductor-wires are disposed When the truck runs through a cut. Fig. 6 is a View exhibiting the manner in which the conductor-wires are disposed where the track is supported upon a filling.

Referring to the drawings and to Fig. 1 thereof, 1 and 2 designate the rails of an ordinary track, one of which that designated by 2 in this instancc being divided into a series of sections separated by insulating material 3. Each of these sections may be of any desired length say two milcs-there being shown four of these sections in this instance, which will represent a stretch of track eight miles in length, with a signaling-station 4 and 5, respectively, located at each end of the combined sections of the rails. Normally open circuits arranged at each section comprise two continuous conductors 6 and 7, the terminals of which connect, respectively, with armatures of electromagnets 8 and 9 in the blocksignaling station 1 and with the armatures of electromagnets 10 and 11 in the block-signaling station 5. These wires include at intervals in their length appropriate to each one of the track sections a pair of electromagnets 12 and 13, disposed above each pair of which are armatures 14:, that are normally out of electrical communication with the electromagnets. The magnets are energized in the manner hereinafter explained when a break occurs at any one of the sections through a local battery 15. Connected with the rail 1 at intervals in its length, one for each section, is a conductor 16, 17, 18, and 19. the terminal of each of which is provided with a contact 20, 21, 22, and 23, disposed in the path of movement of the armatures 14C of the electromagnets 12 and 13. Each of the track-sections, which for purposes of convenience will be designated A, B, C, and D, respectively, has a normally closed circuit 2e, 25, 26, and 27, the terminals of the circuit 2 1 of section A being in electrical connection, respectively, with the electromagnet 9 and an electromagnet 28 and those of the section B being in electrical connection with the electromagnet 8 and an electromagnet 29, these two sets of electromagnets being arranged in the block-signaling station a. The terminals of the circuit 26 are in electrical connection with the electromagnet 10 and an electromag net 30 and those of the circuit D with the electromagnet 11 and an electromagnet 31,

these last'named sets of electromagnets being disposed within the block-signaling station 5.

The terminals of the circuits 24:, 25, 26, and 27, which connect, respectively, with the electromagnets 28, 29, 30, and 31, are energized by local batteries 32, 33, 34, and 35, and the last-mentioned electromagnets are provided for the purpose of actuating an indicator 36 in the nature of a needle provided at that end beneath or contiguous to the electromagnet which attracts it with a counterweight'37, which has a tendency when the circuit is broken to cause the free end of the indicator to be elevated. Adjacent to the free end. of the indicator is a chart or plate 38, bearing certain descriptive matter in the nature of a warning to the operator, in this instance having the legends Safe and Danger thereon, the indicator 36 being normally opposite the word Safe, as shown in Fig. 2. As shown in this figure, the indicator is held opposite the word Safe by the electromagnet 29; but it will be seen that when the circuit through the said electromagnet is broken the counterweight 37 will cause the rear end of the indicator to drop, and thus lift its free end and bring it opposite the word Danger. Each of these indicating devices will bear a word or letter to indicate the track-section to which it belongs, so that it will be seen that if the indicator connecting with the section A be thrown opposite the word Danger the operator will know immediately that it is section A on the block that has been damaged, and by this arrangement repairs will be greatly facilitated. To complete the circuit throughout the whole series of sections, in conjunction with the wires 6 and 7 there is provided athird wire, 39, having in circuit therewith appropriate to each of the sections an electromagnet lO, 41, 12, and L3, respectively, said magnets being energized at the proper time through local batteries 44, included in the conductor 39. The armature of each of the said electromagnets 4:0 11, &c., is electrically connected with the conductor 39, as at 15, and tapped into or connecting each section of the insulated rail is a conductor 16, terminating in a contact &7, arranged in the path of movement of the armatures 4:0 41, 620. Each terminal of the conductor 39 has included with it a signal in the nature of a bell 46, and these terminals proper carry contacts 47, arranged in the path of movement of the armatures of the electromagnets 9 and 11, respectively, which latter are in circuit with the wires 6 and 7, as clearly shown in Fig. 1, the conductor 39 being connected through branch wires L8 with the wires 6 and 7, the branch wire at the block-station 5 being connected with the wire 6 and that at the block-station 4: with the wire 7, each of these branch wires terminating in a contact L9 and 50, respectively, arranged in the path of movement of the armatures of the electromagnets 8 and 10.

The operation of the system thus far del scribed is as follows: So long as the track remains intact and there be no fractures in the various conductors the armatures of the electromagnets 8 and 9 and 10 and 11 will be held against the cores of those magnets, establishing thereby the circuits 24, 25, 26, and 27, which will be closed. Should a break occur in section B, the electromagnet 8 will become deenergized and its armature will fall upon the contact 50, thus closing a normally open circuit between the block-stations, which circuit is as follows: from one pole of the battery 44 appropriate to section B, through wire 39, electromagnets 41 and 40, battery 44, through right-hand bell-signal 46 wire 48, contact 50. armature of magnet 8, along wire 6 and electromagnets 12 included therein, wire 48 and bell-signal 46 at left of Fig. 1, through battery 44, electromagnet 43, wire 39, battery 44, electromagnet 42, wire 39 to the other pole of the battery 44 appropriate to section B. This circuit sounds an alarm in each station to notify the operator there that something is wrong in the stretch of track. One of these operators will also be notified by an indicator 36 which section of the stretch of track under his supervision is in difficulty. It also energizes the magnets 12, 40, 41, 42, and 43, influencing the armatures thereof, which make contact with contacts 20, 21, 22, and 23 at the terminals of wires 19, 18, 17, and 16 and the contacts 47 of the wires 46. Now when the engine-truck reaches the position indicated in Fig. l-thatis, on section Aa circuit will be completed through suitable collectors 51 in the nature of shoes or brushes carried by the engine-truck, (designated 52,) the pairs of collectors at each side of the truck being connected by conductors 53, including a visual signal 55 and an audible signal 56. As soon as this circuit is completed these signals will become active and warn the engineer of approaching danger in ample time to stop his engine. The circuit is completed in the following manner: from one pole of the battery 15, thence by way of wire 7, Wire 48, bell 46, battery 44, electromagnet 40, through the armature-lever of this magnet, through the branch wire 46 to one of the insulated sections of the rail 2, thence through the truck to the rail 1, thence through the conductor 16, to the contact 23, through the armature-lever 14, back to the battery 15. It will be understood that this same operation will be repeated in each one of the various sections of the system.

In the arrangement shown in Fig. 4 the circuit-wires of the closed circuit in which the bridge is located are shown as wrapped around the various uprights, braces, or trusses of a bridge structure 57, and by this arrangement it will be seen that in the case of a washout where any of the bridge-timbers will be displaced or in case of the burning of a bridge the conductors will be destroyed, and thus cause the signaling apparatus at the appropriate block-station to be operated for the pur pose described.

Where the track runs through a cut, as shown in Fig. 5, the circuit-wires of the closed circuit in which the cut is located may be looped around posts or stanchions 58, driven into the walls of the cut, and in the event of any settling of the tracks or of any caving in of the sides of the cut the conductors will be broken.

Where the track is supported upon a filling, as shown in Fig. 6, the circuit-wires of the closed circuit in which the filling is located are wound around posts or stanchions 59, let into the sides of the frame, and in the event of any disintegration or falling away of such parts the fracture of the wires will ensue.

While all the parts of the invention herein described are exceedingly simplein construction and of well-known arrangement, it will be found that they are thoroughly efiicientin use for the purposes designed and may be relied upon under all conditions to do effective work.

In order to protect the electromagnets and conductors between the respective'block-stations from damage by being tampered with or otherwise, these parts may be inclosed in suitable housings or boXings sunk into the road-bed adjacent to the track or tracks.

Having thus described the invention, what I claim is 1. In a railway signaling apparatus, a plurality of block-signaling stations, a normally open circuit connecting the stations and'ineluding signaling mechanismin each station, a

plurality of closed circuits connected with the railway-track, part of which are in communication with one block-station, and part in communication with the other, said closed circuits including indicating mechanism,and means for automatically closing the normally open circuit upon the breaking of any of the closed circuits, substantially as described.

2. In a railway signaling apparatus, aplurality of block-signaling stations, a normally open circuit connecting said stations and including signaling mechanism, a plurality of normally closed circuits connected with the railway-track, part of which are in communication with one block-station and part in communication with the other, means for automatically closing the normally open circuit upon the breaking of any of the closed circuits, and normally open circuits in communication with the railway-track arranged tobe closed by train connections.

3. In an apparatus of the class described, a track having one of its rails divided into insulated sections, block-signaling stations having signaling devices in electrical communication with the continuous rail, a series of wires connecting the said stations, connections between the sectional rail and one of the detectorwires, and means for closing the open circuit upon the breaking of one of the closed circuits to establish communication with one or the other of the block-signaling stations.

4. In an apparatus of the class described, a track one of the rails of which is divided into insulated lengths, each length constituting a section, a pair of wires including electromagnets which are normally inoperative, conductors connecting with the continuous rail and having contacts arranged within the path of travel of the armature-levers of the electroinagnets, a third wire including electromagnets, conductors connecting with the sectional rail and having contacts arranged in the path of movement 'of the latter electroinagnets, block-signaling stations having signaling devices corresponding in number to one-half of the insulated sections of the rail, and means for establishing communication between the rails and one of the signaling devices of the block-signaling station when a fracture in one of the conductors occurs.

5. In a device of the class described, signaling devices, a pair of conductors constituting wires connecting the signaling devices, means for holding the said circuit normally open, a trael; having one of its rails divided into insulated sections, electrical connections between the continuous rail and wires, a third detectorwire, electrical connections between the insulated rail and the latter wire, and means, as a traveling contact engaging both rails, for closing the circuit through the pair of wires and opening it through one of the circuits of the track-section, thereby to cause the sounding of a signal and the actuation. of an indicator.

6. In an apparatus of the class described, a track one of the rails of which is divided into insulated lengths, each length constituting a section, a pair of Wires including electromagnets which are normally inoperative, conductors connecting with the continuous rail and having contacts arranged within the path of travel of the armature-levers of the electromagnets, a third Wire including electromagnets, conductors connecting with the sectional .rail and having contacts arranged in the path of movement of the latter electromagnets, signaling devices corresponding in number to one-half of the sections of the insulated sections of the rail, and means for establishing communication between the rails and one of the signaling devices When a fracture in one of the conductors occurs.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand in presence of tWo subscribing witnesses.

CHARLES V. S. TURNER.

WVitnesses:

JAMES L. NoRRIs, Geo. W. REA. 

